Actor Tom Hardy training MMA for new role in Venom

English actor and producer Tom Hardy has consistently gone to great lengths to help his body prepare for a role. The Dark Knight Rises and Revenant star is back at it once again in preparation for the 2018 film, Venom. The movie directed by Ruben Fleischer, is set for an Oct. 5, 2018 release.

Hardy has stepped up his mixed martial arts training with professional fighter NathanJones and coach Mark Mene to five days per week.

“Most people take the easy option, but not Tom,” Jones said in the clip below. “There’s always room for one more session or spar; he has the right work ethic. It started with three or four days per week, then Tom wanted to do five days per week, he wanted to do double sessions—he wanted to get it right. It will be reflected in the role.”

Hardy played the role of a fighter in the film Warrior. He also gained 30-pounds of muscle to portray the character ‘Bane’ in The Dark Knight Rises. Although Hardy will be using motion-capture technology to portray Venom (according to actor Andy Serkis), Hardy still wants to look the part.

“I’m impressed: [Tom] doesn’t class himself as an athlete, but he definitely trains like one,” Mene said in the video. “He’s dealing with a guy who turns into an 8’4” beast. What the world is going to see is one of the darkest, most powerful supervillains that Marvel’s ever created—it’s gonna be carnage. He’s definitely going to live up to the character.”

“Tom’s got power, he’s got that fight in him. It’s good to see someone have it,” Jones said. “He’ll live the character, and that should come across on the screen. He’s a good student—receptive, open to learning. I just give it to him, whether it’s boxing, kickboxing, or MMA, he’s open to it all. It’s not just learning the techniques, it’s also putting the combinations together, it’s learning how to deal with shots coming at you, learning how to fight. He has all that.”

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